Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Safari


We stayed home today.
It is hot and humid.
It is still summer.


I did a bit of deadheading in the
 Butterfly Bush.
I need nectar plants for the butterflies.

It has been an incredible summer for the Black Swallowtail.

Lots of caterpillars still remain on the fennel.
I have found a few empty chrysalis.
I am looking for fresh ones!

The end of Summer is all about the seeds
 in my garden.


The trees are full.


Seeds are beautiful.


I love watching them develop.
I walked down the street to check on my
neighbor's Magnolia.
These are gorgeous seed heads.


I watch as the berries ripen.


Native shrubs and trees provide food
for the birds.


The Spice bushes
are full of red berries.


Location makes a huge difference in my yard.
The front Dogwood is on the North side;
the back Dogwood is on the South.


I read that migrating birds
depend on the berries.


We are replanting many of the gardens.


I want to find a balance
 between native and exotic.


I want to have a four season garden.


I am thinking of planting more flowers
for late summer.


I depend on the marigolds.
I gather their seeds every year.


I think about seeds.



There is much to consider
before planting trees and shrubs.
I ask myself,
"Is this good for the bugs, for the birds
for the people?"



I am listening to music.


I am reading.


Our gardens are in transition.



The Robber Flies


and Cooper's Hawk



help to maintain balance.


I am looking for balance.


August was fun
even with the heat and humidity.


We learned to make preserves.


We put up 26 1/2 pints of fig preserves.


We did pressure canning too
with out blowing up the kitchen.


I am packing up the August decorations.
I am saying goodbye to the sunflowers.
I am looking forward to September.
Happy Sunday Safari.


11 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What fun seeing the evolution of your garden. Seeds are marvelous this time of year. The Ash tree here is loaded with seeds. UGH.. That means there will be hundreds of seedlings to deal with next spring. I am still pulling seedlings from last year and the year before. Ha.. I love seeing your bugs. The robber fly photos are great. I have been outside taking photos too. I will try to get a post up. I wish I could take photos as good as yours. You will have to use your imagination.

Dimple said...

It is fun going on safari with you, there is always something new to see!

Those robber flies look a lot like what we call horse flies... do they bite?

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

At last, I hear that it is still summer! It's what I want, more summer! As always, you presented awesome photographs. Thank you!

Jules and Ken said...

I glad to hear the Swallowtails are doing well this year, we saw so few of them last year.
Chysilis looks like an interesting book, I'll have to look for it.

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry, the seeds are very beautiful. I do not cut any of my perennials back until the spring. I leave the seeds for the birds, mice etc....
It also looks very beautiful on a frosty morning.

I am also combining native species with non native. I have been buying prairie plants.
Monica has kindly sent seeds from her garden. She lives in Ann Arbor. I sure they will do well here, with the climate changing. I feel the changes......

The hawk is so beautiful....I have had sparrowhawks merlin and kestral in the garden.

Your gardens are food for the soul. Just knowing you are out there makes my world a better place.

I shall start safari again when the little ones go back to school.
My time has been so limited, I didn't want the added pressure of trying to get photographs at a set time.......

Have a lovely week.....I may go to the beach today with the children if the weather holds......

Barb said...

I love seedheads, too, Q! I think their shape and texture are so interesting - sometimes more so than the bloom. Or, maybe it's just another stage of life, and I relate to the drying part! I just bought a specialty orange/fig preserve. It's delicious - tastes like sunshine. Your photos make me linger as always.

Aimee said...

That is a lot of fig preserves! You must be planning on giving pints away for Christmas... Or having fog jam on toast every morning! I am jealous, I'm sure the fig jam would go well with mh chevre.

Amy said...

Sherry, Your posts always inspire me - my question is, "How do you find the time to do all that you do?"

I'm going to savor the coolness that has finally arrived (but for how long?). We've had some losses due to the extreme heat - now we can all recover.

All of your books (and music) are enticing and go so well with the photos. Let us know about the chrysalis.

ShySongbird said...

It is lovely to be able to visit again Sherry :) Your photos are as lovely as always! The Robber Fly photos are stunning!

I'm sure your Fig preserve will be delicious...and I'm so glad you managed not to blow up the kitchen :)

Babara said...

I love to see the plants with their seeds hiding all these wonderful miracles of nature. Now it's the season to look for seeds or seedlings...which quite often are welcomed gifts to friends.

sandy said...

I have enjoyed all your photos. I need to come here more often.. Beautiful.............